毎日“大型トラック１３０台分”の洋服が廃棄…つくる責任・つかう責任は？ “伝説の古着屋”が取り組み（2021年6月2日放送「news every.」より）

Summary

This video highlights the efforts of Eri, the owner of a vintage clothing shop, who is tackling the environmental issues surrounding fast fashion. Eri promotes sustainability by selling second-hand clothes affordably, remaking old garments into new designs, and recycling textiles into new wool products. Her shop works with environmentally conscious practices, such as avoiding dyeing processes to reduce water pollution. Eri’s mission is to encourage long-term relationships with clothing, promoting a circular approach to fashion and sustainability in the industry.

Takeaways

• 😀 Eri, the owner of a vintage clothing store, aims to transform the fashion industry through sustainability and environmental awareness.
• 😀 Eri is concerned with the current issue of large-scale waste in the fashion industry, where millions of tons of clothing are discarded every year.
• 😀 Japan discards about 480,000 tons of clothing annually, equivalent to around 130 large trucks full of waste every day.
• 😀 Most discarded clothes end up being incinerated or buried in landfills, causing further environmental damage.
• 😀 Eri believes in a shift towards making clothes that last longer and in encouraging society to think about reusing existing clothes.
• 😀 One of Eri's initiatives is selling second-hand clothes at affordable prices, without excessive processing, to make them more accessible and eco-friendly.
• 😀 She also remakes vintage clothes into new and unique pieces, such as transforming old shirts into off-shoulder blouses or creating tops from vintage scarves.
• 😀 Eri is working on a project that involves turning old woolen clothes back into usable wool fibers, a form of recycling that reduces environmental impact.
• 😀 Wool recycling has been a practice for over 60 years in Aichi Prefecture, where old garments are disassembled and processed into new wool products.
• 😀 By using slow machines to process wool, the recycled fibers maintain their integrity, resulting in a high-quality product that is both eco-friendly and cost-effective.
• 😀 Eri promotes a lifestyle where people form long-lasting relationships with their clothes, advocating for washing and maintaining clothes properly to extend their life cycle.

Q & A

What is the main issue with the current state of clothing production and disposal?

The main issue is that clothing is being mass-produced and discarded in large quantities, contributing to environmental pollution. Approximately 480,000 tons of clothes are thrown away annually in Japan, which results in pollution from incineration and landfill waste.

Who is Eri, and what is her role in the fashion industry?

Eri is the owner of a vintage clothing shop and the manager of a project focused on environmentally friendly fashion. She revived her father's business, turning it into a modern, sustainable clothing enterprise that also focuses on reusing and recycling old clothes.

What are the three main environmental initiatives Eri is involved in?

Eri's initiatives include changing the way secondhand clothes are sold, remaking old clothes into new products, and recycling old clothing materials into new fabrics, such as turning old wool sweaters into new wool products.

How does Eri change the way secondhand clothes are sold?

Eri aims to reduce costs by simplifying the process of selling secondhand clothes, often offering items without extensive repairs, sometimes only cleaned, to make them more affordable and encourage reuse.

What is the purpose of remaking old clothes into new items?

The purpose is to reduce waste and create unique, sustainable products. For example, Eri takes old shirts and turns them into off-shoulder blouses, or combines vintage scarves to create new, one-of-a-kind tops.

What is the recycling project involving wool at Eri's shop?

Eri is working on a project where old wool clothing is collected, processed, and recycled into new wool products. This process involves separating materials and using old wool to create new yarn and fabric.

How does the recycling process of wool work?

The process starts by sorting old wool garments, removing buttons and tags, and cutting them into pieces. The wool is then processed using specialized machines to create new yarn without needing to dye the material, thus reducing environmental impact.

Why is wool recycling considered more environmentally friendly?

Wool recycling is environmentally friendly because it eliminates the need for dyeing, which reduces water usage and prevents water pollution. It also lowers production costs and helps avoid the environmental burden of new wool production.

What is the significance of using slower machines for processing recycled wool?

Slower machines are used to ensure that the delicate wool fibers are not damaged. This careful processing helps maintain the quality of the recycled wool, which results in a softer, more durable fabric.

What philosophy does Eri advocate regarding the use of clothing?

Eri advocates for a sustainable and mindful approach to clothing. She encourages people to wear clothes for longer periods, properly care for them, and avoid overconsumption, believing that this leads to a richer, more fulfilling lifestyle.